A Poem in Your Pocket

April is National Poetry month. And so, tomorrow, April 30th, is "Put a Poem in Your Pocket Day". You are encouraged to carry a poem in your pocket and share it with someone. To acknowledge National Poetry month, I have written a poem about Samuel--also in honor of his birth. He will be 2 weeks old on April 30th.


The poem is written in the style of an *acroustic. I am sure it could be improved, but I am satisfied with it--for now anyway. If you click on the image, it should open in a new browser window and it may be a little easier to read.

*Acrostic poems are simple poems in which each the first letter of each line forms a word or phrase (vertically). An acrostic poem can describe the subject or even tells a brief story about it.

One Week Old

Sam is a week old today. Both he and his brother are doing well. So is Mom and Dad--although they are tired. I did not get to help out as much as I had hoped because of a nasty sinus infection. I am on medication, but am still coughing a lot and sound like I have a head full. Most of my energy has been zapped out of me.

I was able to take Charlie for the afternoon yesterday. We went out to lunch, played, read stories and took a nap. Both Charlie and Grandma fell to sleep for a couple of hours. When we got up, Grandpa was home. Mom and Dad and Sam came over. I have added some photos taken at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Charlie is so good to Sam. He doesn't mind the attention Sam gets and seems quite concerned when Sam is crying. He is a great big brother.

Content in Grandma's arms


Having a chat with Grandpa

Happy 3rd Annniversary to Michael and Kristi. They celebrated their 3rd anniversary on Wednesday, April 22nd. It is hard to believe it was only three years ago that we were in Minnesota having a wedding. So much has happened in such a short time--some good, some bad. But we have a lot of fond memories to keep us going and many blessings in our lives.

Mom and Samuel

The big event finally happened. Nikki, Matt, and Charlie have welcomed a new little boy into their family--Samuel David Fitzgerald. He weighed in at 7 lbs. 6 oz, was 21 inches long. He was born at 1:07 p.m. on April 16, 2009. Nikki and Matt chose to have a home delivery. Her labor began around 11 a.m. and a couple hours later Sam appeared. Both mother and baby are doing very well. Charlie happened to be at daycare while this was happening. He came home to a new little brother. He calls him baby Sam. He seems to like the baby but was more interested in his new big wheel and the cars and car mat I made for him. Charlie spent last night at Grandma and Grandpa's so mom and dad could concentrate on the new baby.

Samuel David
taken at 6:15 p.m. April 16, 2009

Grandpa and Sam

Charlie and his new car play mat

I will take more pictures of Charlie and Sam today and post as soon as I can. We are so thrilled. Sam is so cute! And Nikki was so relaxed after giving birth at home. Her mid-wife will check up on them today.

April Week-End

"Hoppy" Easter! It promises to be a beautiful week-end in Iowa. The sun is shining and it should get up to about 60 degrees today. We are still waiting for the baby to appear. Nikki is so ready--she is having a hard time playing the waiting game now that it is so close.

My excitement for the morning was a small fire on the stove. Nothing was damaged and it was easily extinguished--the reason for opening the windows even though it is only 44 degrees right now. I had put the water on to boil some eggs for Easter. I did not realize that there was something in the burner's drip pan. When I turned around there were flames. I took the pot off the burner and tried to use the lid of the pan to snuff it out, but that didn't work. So, I opened the cupboard and grabbed the salt shaker. I poured salt on it and that extinguished the flames. When the burner cools, I will clean up the smoke, etc. Steve is at work, so I am glad I don't have to tell him that he has to come and clean up a fire mess from our house. The dog and I were the only ones home and the dog was safe outside. The eggs are boiling now.

Charlie came over to visit. His mom and dad had some things to do, so Grandma got to have him for the rest of the day. We went to Great-Aunt Nancy's house to dye Easter eggs with the girls. He thought it was pretty fun!

Watch the slideshow of photos.

Kalub was not able to participate in the egg dying as he was in Minnesota with his mom and dad, visiting relatives there. Maybe next year....


I have discovered that there is something called "laminated" cotton fabric. I am now on a mission to find some. It would make great bibs, aprons, messy mats, tote bags, etc. I think it is kind of expensive, but what isn't now days! I have so many things to make--if only there was more time.

With Easter comes the promise of new life. Maybe today the newest little Fitzgerald will appear. Easter means hope!

Easter's on Its Way!

I was very busy over the week-end getting some things ready for some special little ones--and some older, special children as well. Although it is April, it still feels like winter--got a little snow on Sunday. It will be melted soon! I am hopeful that this was the last flake of winter this season. We haven't made any specific plans for the Easter holiday. We are waiting for baby to arrive--but you know how a baby can be--in their own time. I will certainly update this when Fitzgerald grandchild #2 arrives.

BubbleShare: Share photos - Easy Photo Sharing

Created with Wordl.

http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/717210/Dr._Grandma_Says

Where are the months going? I don't know when February flew by and March marched right past me without even stopping. It is now April and we are still fighting to see spring arrive. Winter keeps coming back to annoy us.

The above image was created with a web program called Wordl. Wordle is a toy for generating “word clouds” from text that you provide. It has a lot of choices for fonts, colors, and layouts. It was fun to "play" with it.

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Grandchild # 3--baby #2 for Nikki and Matt and sibling #1 for Charlie. I can hardly stand the waiting. I keep making more things for the baby, for Charlie for when the baby arrives--it is getting out of control. What fun!

February, 2009

The boys, rocking out at Grandma and Grandpa's.

(Notice the "hat tree" in background-formerly used as a cane.)

It is still winter--of course, it's Iowa. We received a hefty 7 inches of snow in about 3 hours on Friday. It was heavy and wet. There were lots of accidents in Des Moines. Fortunately none of my children and husband were involved. They were all safe. I checked on each of them. But the sun is shining and some of it has melted.

How did you spend Valentine's Day? Steve and I had both grandsons for the evening. It was great. They are both so cute. Charlie is talking up a storm. He was trying to teach Kalub how to say "Grandma" at dinner. Kalub gave it a valiant effort. I gave them each a sock monkey for Valentine's Day, so they spent some time throwing them in the air.


At bedtime, I took Steve and Kalub to his house and dropped them off. Steve was in charge of staying with Kalub and getting him to sleep in his own bed. I took Charlie to his house for bath, stories and bedtime. Unfortunately he was not completely in bed when his parents got home. I don't think his mom was too happy that he wasn't asleep yet (it was 10 p.m.), but I told her it was "Grandma's privilege". He was too cute when he saw her, so she couldn't stay mad for too long at either of us. He is still my little "cheerleader/coach" when I go up or down the stairs. He told me last night to "be careful Grandma. Don't fall".

I have been sewing things for the new baby's room. So far I have made:

2 window treatments
crib skirt
2 crib sheets
4 throw type pillows
1 pillow case for the long body pillow

Still to do:

Memo board (the one with the ribbon that you tuck things into)
Crib quilt

And there is still plenty of time left to get it done before the big day! When it is complete, I will take pictures and post here.

Nikki is now going to the doctor every 2 weeks--so the time is getting short. She told me last night that this baby is making her very uncomfortable--like there is no more room for it to grow--she feels stretched to the limit. Maybe the baby will come early. They all take their time.

I have been released from the doctor's care. No restrictions, no cane or crutches. Every day I feel a little stronger and am able to walk more. The right foot has some numbness in the area where the plate and screws were inserted, but that is not a major issue. It is good to be back at it again. I can't tell you how much I missed being able to sit down and sew...and spend time in a fabric store. Heaven!!

January 2009

Yes--it is dang cold! Yes--there are several inches of snow on the ground. But life goes on and we endure. I am now wearing real shoes (not the size I used to wear) and walking with a cane--one of those canes that has four little "feet". It is more for balance than anything. Every day gets a little better. The cold makes my foot ache--the one with the metal in it. But it is not unbearable--after all I did give birth to four children. Still no dancing!

I am back at work but am limited to not walking much, sitting down to do my job, etc. I will see the doctor in February. Probably there will be another round of x-rays and hopefully he will release me. Everything in good time.

I am helping Nikki get the new baby's room ready. She and Matt picked a color scheme and Matt spent the week-end painting. Nikki and I got the fabrics and I have a long list of things to sew: window treatments for 2 windows, a crib skirt, a crib sheet, pillows for the chair, basket liners, a crib quilt, and a memo board. As usual, Nikki is panicking--she thinks I won't get it all done in time. I reminded her about sewing prom dresses. I always managed to get it done in time for prom and it looked store bought and fit her perfectly. This too shall be done in time for the little one.

I am not sure what reaction Charlie will have to his new brother or sister. I don't think he quite understands it all yet. He will be a great big brother. He plays pretty well with Kalub and Kalub loves to be with him. I love spending time with both grandsons and take any chance I can to be with them. The housework can wait.

The holidays were all a blur. I did not get to shop so my contribution was knitted items. While I was recovering at home I knit the following:

• 8 pairs of socks
• 2 sweater vests
• 1 scarf
• 1 hat

All were finished in time and wrapped for the gift exchange on Christmas day. Michelle flew home on Christmas Eve and stayed through the week-end. The only disappointment was we did not get to spend time with Steve's brothers and sisters. The day we were to meet them, the weather was very nasty--the whole state was covered in ice. We had to stay home. It was not worth risking anyone's lives to make the trip. We will meet up with them all in June when our nephew, Chris (Steve's sister Diane's son) gets married in Wisconsin. That will be a better time of year to take a trip.

My hopes for the New Year: a better economy, healthy bones, and lots of family time.

Wish I Could Dance!

The surgery happened and it has been 2+ weeks of recovery. I am still not able to dance much (oh, I didn't really dance before). The weather is cold, snow is on the ground and there has been a little ice. Not really great for someone with 2 broken limbs on crutches.

Of course on the day I was scheduled to see the Doctor, we had rain which then turned to ice and snow. My husband made sure the steps and sidewalk was clear of snow and ice so I could get to the car--it was still a little bit scary. I did not get the doctor's report I was hoping for. I still have to wear the boot on the left foot. They did take the stitches out of the right foot, and I can put a little weight on it--the heel only. So, I am still at home pretty much immobile.

I am feeling a little bit of cabin fever. It is exhausting to get up and down the stairs. I spend a lot of time on the computer or knitting. I have knit 6 pairs of socks in the last 2 to 3 weeks. Guess what some in my family are getting for Christmas.

Update

Surgery is scheduled for Monday, November 17th.

I will have outpatient surgery on the right foot. The doctor says it will take about a half-hour for the procedure. He will put a plate and pins into the side of my right foot. I will be off of it for at least a week. He will re-evaluate at the end of the week.

I hate being so immobile. We take a lot of things for granted. I can't even carry a cup of coffee to my favorite chair. It takes me a lot longer to get things done and there are many things I cannot do at all. I am tired all the time--guess that is my body trying to slow me down so it can heal.

But what I really, really hate, is that I cannot take care of my grandsons. I always enjoy my "alone" time with each of them. That isn't happening right now.

I have been trying to knit more, but that isn't even going as well as when I am healthy and alert. This too shall pass. In a few weeks I will be back to walking on both limbs. Hopefully my strength and stamina will also return.

My trials and tribulations are nothing compared to others who have to live with this kind of thing everyday of their lives. Mine is temporary and for that I am truly thankful. So, I will quit whining about it. At least I can still use my hands.

Out of My Control

It has been a while since my last blog post. Many things have happened. I have run into a block with my grandson's sweater vest and I just can't seem to get past it. The vest pattern itself was so easy to knit up, but the neck edging is causing a great disturbance in my life--I just can't seem to get it right and now I have frogged it so many times that I am afraid the neck edging will be too stretched. AGGGGHHHH! And I have another one started for my other grandson but I am afraid to move on. Helpppp!!!!!!!!!!

There are several other things that have rocked my world.
Part One:
We were preparing to go on vacation--a lovely trip to the island of St. Maarten with 2 of my daughters, one grandson, and my brother and sister-in-law. We had been planning this trip for months and were really looking forward to getting away. It was also going to be the first time my husband has ever traveled out of the country. Wouldn't you know, the day before we were to leave, they came to install the bay window in our living room and wanted to install the other windows and doors while we were gone. We had ordered them a couple of months earlier. I tried to talk them into waiting until we got back, but the danger was the weather was so nice right now and could change quickly where we live. So, they were to proceed with the project. Our twenty-two year old daughter would be staying at our house with the dog, so she would have to enlist the help of our son to get things ready for the workers.

Part two of this story:

While getting ready for the trip, I went to the basement to finish some laundry that I needed in order to finish packing--we were leaving the next day to drive to Chicago to meet everyone and catch the flight to St. Maarten. As I was bouncing down the steps, I thought I was at the bottom, but wasn't. I missed the last step and hit the floor. I knew that was not good. I sat there for a few minutes trying to let the pain subside. I then managed to get to the washing machine and switch out the loads, then hobbled back upstairs, took some IBProfin, put ice in a baggy, sat down, put my feet up with the ice bag on my left ankle. I called my daughter (she is a chiropractor) and she came and took me to her office. She x-rayed my left ankle and it was broken. So we went to the ER and checked in at 6 p.m. We finally saw a doctor a 8 p.m. who suggested I go to an orthopedic doctor as soon as possible. The ER doctor called the orthopedic doctor and pleaded my case. We managed to see the ortho doctor at 7:45 a.m. the next morning. He confirmed the broken ankle and said I would not have to have surgery and could go on the trip in one of those black boots with all the velcro. Then he looked at my right foot which was very swollen, bruised and hurt a lot. More x-rays and he came back and said it was also broken. He wanted to do surgery on it. I managed to talk him into waiting, put it in a surgical shoe, and walked out on crutches.

So--2 hours later we were in our van, driving to Chicago in order to fly out the next morning. I went on the trip with two broken limbs. It was not the trip I had envisioned and I didn't get to do as many things as I wanted to do. I did however have plenty of time to sit in the sunshine, read, and knit. I think I spent more time planning on what to take to knit than I did on what I was going to take to wear. I did not have to take any shoes on the trip so I had more room in my suitcase for knitting treasures.

I hope to go back to St. Maarten someday with two limbs that can walk normally. It would be fun to do the trip as a healthy, energetic person.

Part three of this story:
There is more to this story. The trip was not without hassle and adventure--unrelated to my physical state. So, watch here for the rest of the story.

We got home from the trip to a house with all new windows and doors and no window coverings. I am unable to do anything since I have two broken limbs and am not used to sitting and directing people. Waiting for others to move into action is very stressful for me. I am not good at it. I am the take-charge, get it done now person. I need to pray a lot--for patience.

October

I have had the pleasure of attending a conference in Long Beach, CA for the past 4 days. The weather is gorgeous and it has been a good conference. I even got to walk down to the ocean and walk the "boardwalk". But reality hits--heading home late this afternoon. Hopefully the temperatures at home won't be a big deal. It has been in the 90's here. I know I won't see those temperatures when I get home. I am ready to go home. I really, really miss the grandsons.

The oldest daughter is moving on with her life. She will stop at home on her way to her new life in Denver, CO. She is excited about the new location-hopefully she is excited about the new job as well. I am excited for her too.

The countdown begins---2 weeks from today we will be on our way to St. Martin!

Knitting and Grandchildren

I have the honor of taking care of my oldest grandson this week-end. His parents went on a little trip to celebrate their 5th wedding anniversary. It has been a great experience and one that I am always willing to take advantage of. He is a wonderful little 2 year old and we get along very well. Of course, he has grandma's undivided attention. We have been spending a lot of time playing "cars"





Grandpa was the only one who could "unwrap" the presents from their boxes--to get the toy un-hooked so Charlie could play with it.



I have even been able to get a little knitting done--during his nap times that is. I began knitting a scarf for the Winter Games for the Special Olympics. It is a project that I read about in a knitting magazine that I picked up at my local knitting store, Knitted Together. The magazine, Knit Simple, Holiday 2008, has a lot of wonderful gift ideas and the article about the Special Olympics scarf project caught my eye. The yarn is Coats and Clark's Red Heart in delft blue and white. The pattern is a simple garter stitch and is knit the length of the scarf, rather than the width. The ends are finished with 1" poms--4 on each end. I think it was the colors and the poms that I fell in love with. It works well with taking care of an active 2 year old as I can put it down and pick it up again without having to remember where I ended. I am hoping that the evening Stitch and a Prayer group will be willing to help out and knit a few scarves before the January deadline. I know I have a couple of new people to the group and since they have never knit before, this will be an easy project for them to begin their knitting obsession.

Obsession: that is how I describe my knitting. I can never have too many patterns, too many needles, too many tools, bags, and other knitting accessories. And the stash of yarn is taking over a small bedroom--well it isn't a bedroom anymore. I may have OCD--obsessive, complusive disorder--about my knitting. Is that a bad thing? I hope not.

Sweater Vest Project: I have almost completed one sweater vest for the grandsons. But I am struggling with the ribbing around the v-neck. I have started over on it so many times, that I am afraid I am wearing out the stitches around the neck line. I don't know what I am doing wrong!! It is very frustrating. Perhaps that is why I switched to something easy--a scarf for a charitable cause. How do you handle knitting when it isn't going so well? I don't want to give up on this project either. I have another one to do, but would like to get it figured out before I complete the second vest. AGGGGGHHHHH!

A Two Year Old

We celebrated Charlie's second birthday yesterday. It was a Cars theme (you know, Cars the Disney movie). He got a lot of gifts--a ton of hot wheel type cars and a few clothes. There were about 25 people at his party. Matt grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. The rest of the lunch was very good--Nikki made her great potato salad, Matt made his wonderful version of baked beans and Matt's step-grandmother brought broccoli raisin salad, but the variation was she used cranraisins instead of regular raisins. There were cupcakes for dessert. And all of the children attending received treat bags and a car made out of gum, peanut butter cups, peppermint patties, and miniature Hershey bars. There was even a "stoplight" treat made out of graham crackers, frosting and red, yellow and green M&M's.

I managed to get Charlie down for a nap, but he really didn't want to leave all of his new toys. I know he was exhausted by the end of the evening. He really did have a good time with all of his friends, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. It is hard to believe that he is two years old already!
I will post some pictures very soon.

Knitting for Charity

A group of women at our church have been meeting regularly to knit hats for charity. When the group first started, there were 2 groups--an afternoon group and an evening group. The evening group sort of fell by the wayside for a time, but now it is beginning again. I am excited because I can actually attend the evening group and got to help decide when it would meet. It will meet on the first and third Monday evenings of each month. We are hoping that several others will join us and are encouraging anyone who wants to learn how to knit to come along for the "ride". I have even made up beginning knitting kits for the newbies to checkout and use until they are comfortable knitting.

The group is called "A Stitch and a Prayer" and you can click on the link in My Favorite Places to see what the afternoon girls have been doing.

September, ALREADY???

Where does time go? It is flying by and there just aren't enough hours in the day to do all the things I want to do. Is anyone else having the same experience?

School is back in session and I have meet with my class for 2 sessions. There are 20 in the course. They are all going to be teachers and I have the great opportunity to guide them in the use of technology integration in their classrooms. I took photos of them all on the first day of class-mainly so I could remember who they all are and learn their names.

Charlie will soon be 2 years old. He is quite the little guy--talking more and more each day. He definitely has a mind of his own--hmmm, so did his mother at this age. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree--or so the saying goes.

Kalub does his best to keep up with Charlie. He loves being with his cousin. They are so cute together. They run and chase each other and laugh and laugh. It is fun to watch.

Birthday Month

August is a whirlwind of birthday celebrations for our family. It actually begins at the end of July. Michael, my son and dad to Kalub, turned 28 years young on July 29th. Kalub, one of my favorite grandson's, turned one year old on August 11.

The cake was mighty tasty!

His birthday was followed by Michelle (oldest daughter) who turned 33 years young on August 19. Two days later, Sarah (youngest daughter) turned 22 on August 21st. Now we get a short break and more birthdays happen in September. Steve's is on September 9th and Charlie, the other favorite grandson, turns 2 on September 23rd.

Some exciting news: Charlie is going to have a baby brother or sister in April! We are very excited about it--at least I am. I know Grandpa is too. What fun to have another little one to love and spoil.

Gary (my brother) and his wife, Audrey, came to visit in early August. We visited with them at their camping site. They are pulling a fifth wheel around the country and plan to return to their home in Phoenix shortly after Labor Day.

My twin brother, Paul, who lived in the Minneapolis area, became a grandpa. His son, Nathan, is now the proud father of Brooklynne Rose Miller. I haven't meet her yet, but plan to very soon.

Summer is Moving Quickly!

I am currently attending a conference in Boston. Last week I attended one in Chicago. I also got to spend a couple of evenings with Michelle. We went to Cheesecake Factory, a movie, Greek Town, and Margie's Candy Store--which is really a place to get huge ice cream treats. I just got to this conference late this afternoon--flew through Chicago. The flight was delayed in Des Moines and then again in Chicago with 3 gate changes before we were actually in flight for the last leg of the trip. I started and completed two books during all the waiting. One book was the second in a series (wish I had brought the third with me); the other was the first in a series.
They are:

Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich
Knit One, Kill Two by Maggie Sefton

The first one is about a bounty hunter and the second is billed as a "knitting mystery". Both were easy reads and it wasn't hard to keep reading until I had finished them both.

Family Updates:

• On July 21, 2008 Brooklynne Rose Miller was born in Minnesota to Nathan and Alyssa Miller. She looks like a doll and now I am a "super-aunt" which is my terminology for Great Aunt.
• Kalub Michael Miller, son of Michael and Kristi Steinbronn, is now walking--possibly more than he crawls--at least when I saw him yesterday he was getting braver and braver about it. He will soon be running after Charlie. Kalub will be one year old on August 11, 2008.
• Charles Robert Fitzgerald, son of Nikki and Matt Fitzgerald, is very active, talking more and more, knows all the letters of the alphabet and their sounds (0ut of order) and is amazing us all with his skills. He still loves anything related to cars.

NOTE: Both grandsons are amazing and so cute!!!

July 2008

The days go by so quickly. It is almost the middle of July and I haven't accomplished very much. Oh, wait! Kalub was baptized, we celebrated the 4th of July with friends and family, we will be on our way to Minnesota on Saturday to celebrate the upcoming birth of my nephew, Nathan, and his wife, Alyssa's first child. All of these activities are more important than other stuff.

The rain and flooding has stopped and it is typical Iowa weather--hot and humid. I like to just stay inside during this time of the summer. I have completed a couple of knitting projects--socks of course and a gift for the baby shower this week-end.

I have been able to spend lots of time with Charlie and Kalub. They are both growing up so quickly. Kalub has new teeth--he cut 4 at once on top. He has almost taken his first step--he is so close. He will be 11 months old this Friday. Charlie continues to amaze me with how quickly he is learning. Although he is not yet 2 years old, he can identify most letters of the alphabet (out of order) and say the sound they make. He loves playing with the Matchbox cars his great uncle Tim brings him and his favorite place to be is anywhere outside.

A Baptism

This was a busy week-end! In spite of all the flooding in Iowa, Kalub Michael Steinbronn, age 10 months, was baptized at St. Pius X Catholic Church on Sunday, June 15 (also Father's Day). He had lots of family in attendance from both sides. Aunt Michelle and Aunt Marisa had to take a long detour to get here because of all the road closures in Iowa due to flooding. And, even though there is some flooding in Des Moines, we were dry and did not have to deal with water everywhere. It rained just a little and then the sun came out and it was a gorgeous day.
We attended Mass as a family and then had the baptism following in the newly remodeled church. Kalub wore the same baptismal outfit that Charlie had worn almost a year ago--and in the same church. Of course I took lots of pictures and will share them with you soon.